The Persian New Year is celebrated on the first day of Spring. It’s called Nowruz. There are many New Year traditions, including throwing grass into a river or lake. Here’s what Fatima wrote from Iran about some New Year’s traditions: In the last month of the Iranian year people shake up the house (i.e. they […] Read more »

Fatima wrote to me from Iran explaining how they make shish kabob there. Of course, I had to try it and it was delicious! Fatima wrote: "This the yoghurt recipe for shish kabob as people in the Middle East used to make it..." Shish Kabob Marinade Recipe Ingredients 4 cups Whole Milk 1 1/2 - […] Read more »

We recently received a Persian children’s song called Lili Hozak with a link to a YouTube animation. The style is very interesting. Here’s what our correspondent Fatima wrote, "I love the animation. Such animations are the Iranian style of animation. They used old patterns of Iranian carpets for drawing the landscapes and the animals too." […] Read more »

Fatima wrote yesterday from Iran, "It’s Yalda night ceremony (the longest night of the year). Iranian people eat nuts, walnuts, pomegranate, and watermelon for Yalda." Yald? is an ancient Persian Winter Solstice celebration. People used to stay up for most of the night to ward off misfortune. Nowadays, families mainly gather together for a nice […] Read more »

Maryam wrote from Iran explaining about the Persian tradition of "divination" by consulting the Oracle of Shiraz Hafiz for guidance. Divination is a way to find out an answer to a question you have about your future (will you marry the one you love, will you get that job, etc.) To understand about the "Oracle […] Read more »

This is a short, four lined poem that encompasses a child’s life from birth till death. It seems sad, yet it’s really a wish for a happy life full of people who care for the child… The Babe On parent knees, a naked new-born child, Weeping thou sat’st while all around thee smiled: So live, […] Read more »

People often write me looking for songs about the four seasons, from around the world. Here are some! The links below take you to the different pages on Mama Lisa’s World of International Childrens Songs. There, you’ll find the lyrics in the original languages, with English translations. Songs about Winter Yuki (Snow) – Japanese A, […] Read more »

Rondi wrote to me… Hello Lisa! This is Rondi Charleston – I am a singer/songwriter in the NY area. I have an important recording project coming up in which I need an Arabic Lullaby to incorporate into an original song. I’m searching for the MELODY! Sheet music? or an MP3? I heard about “Doha Ya […] Read more »

This year Eid al-Adha (a holiday that’s also known as Eid Kbir) is held on the 18th to the 20th around the Muslim world. It’s a festival celebrating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah. Everyone dresses up and goes to the mosque to perform the Eid prayer. Families that can afford it will […] Read more »

My neighbor brought me a sampling of a very popular Persian soup called Ashe Mast. I found it to be interesting and different. It’s the type of food my family enjoys, as they like chick peas, beans, rice and yogurt. I’ll definitely be adding it to the repertoire of meals I make. Ashe means soup […] Read more »